Bills' Disappointing Performance Gives Patriots Route to AFC East Lead - Highlights of Week 10 NFL Action

Week 10 once more provided excitement, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any Sunday can bring surprises' mantra that draws so many fans into the National Football League

This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to creep back into a leading position they used to occupy, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their 8-2 rivals

Over in the National Football Conference the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams had perfect results to set up a monster clash in week 11, while our player of the week is pursuing milestones as well as the MVP award

The Breakdown - Simply an Off Day for Buffalo?

Was it just an emotional comedown from beating the Chiefs last week or something more? This remains the question for the Bills to address

The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a row against Miami but were outperformed from the beginning as the Miami team ran out 30-13 winners in an surprising outcome - and performance

MVP Josh Allen only got the team's initial first down in the third period and initial scoring in the final quarter - admittedly Miami had ten days to get ready but it was still a significant failure produced by one of the NFL's best offenses

Dolphins quarterback Tua passed for two scores but rusher De'Von Achane was the game-changing factor, with 225 total yards and two touchdowns

Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates registering just eighty-six yards, their fewest of the year and just over half their 161.5 yard average

Then there were the three critical turnovers, and the two from Allen in particular. An pass caught by defense in the scoring area resulting in a nine-minute possession yielded no points, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami converted to seven points just two plays

It was typical 'previous Bills teams' as they hurt themselves in the foot, falling into a hole on defense and Allen trying to do too much to dig his team out of it - rather than the composed, controlled, balanced Buffalo team we've witnessed this season

The Dolphins have demonstrated a varied performances this season so the verdict is uncertain on whether this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a tough game against Tampa Bay next week as the Patriots are sneaking into a comfortable advantage at the top of the American Football Conference East

Spotlight - New England Identify Route to Unexpected First Place

Regarding the Patriots, they're one of three eight and two squads in the league, all AFC teams, but could they be the best?

You can find flaws in New England, Denver and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with only five of their combined twenty-four victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis beating the Denver

The Broncos defeated the reigning champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the New England including Sunday's victory in Tampa Bay to their prime time win in Buffalo appears to be a declaration

Their two defeats occurred in recently appointed coach Vrabel's initial three games, with seven consecutive wins, similar to Denver, since then - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to prepare was significant

Drake Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns point for bravery after taking some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to guide his side to victory

The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 rushing yards and two exciting touchdowns of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth ball carrier to exceed 22 miles per hour this year on his initial touchdown

Although you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Patriots should be favorites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which features just one game against a successful opponent, albeit a huge one against the Bills

Traveling to the Ravens is challenging too, but Denver have it more difficult in the AFC West with the Chiefs to face two times, the Los Angeles Chargers (who might also compete for top seed but face the same problem) and additionally the Green Bay on the schedule

The Colts also play the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, 49ers and two games with the five and four Jaguars to face. There's a considerable distance to travel but the opportunity is available for a surprise number one position in the American Football Conference

Next Week - Los Angeles and Seattle Prepare for Next Week Clash

Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different eight and two teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Rams, who both put up forty points to reach seven and two ahead of next week's major game between the two in LA

Both have won four in a row, have signal callers in Stafford and Sam Darnold performing at an elite level (although Sam Darnold had ball security problems on game day) with excellent pass catchers, and defenses giving up under 20 points a game

Both could easily be without a loss as too - particularly the Los Angeles as their two defeats came in extra time against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philly when they had a game-winning field goal with the last kick deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a touchdown

Seattle were also defeated to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before falling to the final play of the contest against the Buccaneers - so they're genuinely two of the top teams in the NFL

The next matchup on Sunday could be the most exciting of the season so far

Player of the Week - Taylor

Taylor could be on for a record season after his remarkable performance in Berlin - running for 244 rushing yards, scoring three touchdowns and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards